171: Debunking the Continuous Progesterone Myth: Unopposed Estradiol Is the Real Concern with Phyllis Bronson, PhD Jill Chmielewski, RN, BSN, Carol Petersen, RPh, CNP

There is a lot of conflicting information online about progesterone right now, particularly around whether women need to take it continuously, whether cycling is necessary, and whether progesterone can somehow interfere with estrogen or increase dementia risk. In this conversation, Dr. Phyllis Bronson, Carol Petersen, RPh, CNP, and Jill Chmielewski, RN, BSN, discuss some of the biggest claims circulating about progesterone and hormone therapy. The conversation explores the importance of progesterone, how different delivery methods can affect the way it works in the body, and why dose and individual response matter. They also discuss oral, topical and vaginal progesterone, the role of allopregnanolone, estriol and Bi-Est, and why measuring hormones in the blood doesn't always tell the full story of what is happening at the tissue level. They also tackle one of the biggest current controversies: the idea that continuous progesterone may increase dementia risk. The group discusses the evidence and theories behind this claim, the importance of balancing estradiol with progesterone, and why women need to be cautious about making hormone decisions based on simplified social media messaging. This is a wide-ranging conversation designed to give you more context, more questions to ask, and a deeper understanding of the ongoing debate around women's hormones. In this episode: The truth about continuous vs. cycling progesterone How progesterone works with estrogen in the body Oral, vaginal and transdermal progesterone: what's the difference? The controversy around progesterone and dementia risk Why hormone therapy needs to be individualized based on dose, delivery method and your unique response   About Phyllis Bronson, PhD Phyllis Bronson, Ph.D., holds a doctorate in biochemistry. Her ongoing research involves studying the biological impact of molecules on mood and emotion. Dr. Bronson works with women who have hormone-based mood disorders, utilizing her original research on human identical hormones. She lives in Aspen, Colorado, and is President of Biochemical Consulting and The Biochemical Research Foundation. Dr. Bronson is the author of Moods, Emotions, and Aging: Hormones and the Mind-Body Connection,and has authored many articles, which can be found here. In the Aspen area? On July 27th, the Jewish Community Center in Aspen will be hosting The Great Hormone Conversation with Phyllis and Dr. Alan Altman. For more info or tickets,click here.‍ ‍   About Carol Petersen, RPh, CNP Carol Petersen is an accomplished compounding pharmacist with decades of experience helping patients improve their quality of life through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy and is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner. Her passion for optimizing health and commitment to compounding is evident in her involvement with organizations including the International College of Integrated Medicine and the American College of Apothecaries, the Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M), American Pharmacists Association and the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding.  She was also the founder and first chair for the Compounding Special Interest Group with the American Pharmacists Association. She chairs the Integrated Medicine Consortium, an umbrella group for complementary medicine organizations.   She cohosts a radio program, "Take Charge of Your Health," in the greater New York area. She is on the Medical Advisory Boards for the Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research (CeMCOR.ca) and the Institute for Bioidentical Medicine (IOBIM.org). She also writes and edits for A4M's website www.worldhealth.net and is a co-producer of "Immortality Now" podcasts. Carol offers personal consultations at www.thewellnessbydesignproject.com. About Jill Chmielewski, RN, BSN Jill Chmielewski, a Registered Nurse, Certified Health Coach, Menopause Educator, and Women's Health Advocate with over 30 years of experience in healthcare. Most recently, Jill joined the Balance App team as the U.S. expert. Balance was founded by Dr. Louise Newson and is dedicated to educating and empowering women around the world with evidence-based information, helping them better understand their hormone health and make informed choices for their bodies.

In Part 2 of Tara's conversation with Dr. Lindsey Berkson, they continue the discussion by looking at the different forms and delivery methods of HRT, including Bi-Est, estradiol, estriol and progesterone. They discuss why the way a hormone is delivered can matter, why vaginal progesterone may work differently from oral or topical progesterone, and why individual response matters when choosing a delivery method. The conversation then moves into testosterone and breast health, including the role of hormone metabolites and estrogen receptors. Dr. Berkson also shares her thoughts on mammograms and breast cancer screening, including her own experience of finding breast cancer shortly after receiving a negative mammogram. This episode ultimately comes back to one of the biggest themes of the entire conversation: don't blindly follow a protocol simply because it's considered standard. Understand the evidence, understand the limitations, and make informed decisions with appropriate medical support.   In Part 2: Why Tara switched to an estradiol patch Dr. Berkson's history developing menopause supplements Progesterone, puberty and menstrual health Why hormone education is missing from conventional medical training Why Bi-Est? Bringing estradiol and estriol back into the conversation Testosterone, muscle, brain health and breast health Why progesterone delivery needs to be individualised Oral vs vaginal vs topical progesterone How Dr. Berkson approaches mammograms, ultrasound and other screening methods The breast cancer Dr. Berkson discovered after a negative mammogram Why Dr. Berkson created Everything Breast Cancer and her personal mission to help women navigate breast cancer Dr. Lindsey Berkson Lindsey Berkson, MA, DC, CNS, DACBN was a Distinguished Hormone Scholar at the Center for Bioenvironmental Research (CBR: Tulane/Xavier Universities). She is a leading figure in integrative medicine, renowned for her expertise in hormones, nutrition, digestion, and environmental science. With a background as a clinician, professor, bestselling author, and radio show host, she brings a wealth of experience to her work. At the CBR, she collaborated with pioneers in estrogen and sex-steroid receptor research. Dr. Berkson is also a respected educator, teaching MDs and pharmacists in advanced certification courses. She has developed innovative nutraceuticals, holds patents in bioidentical hormone therapy, and has contributed to groundbreaking research on dialysis/pharmaceutical medications and nutrition. Dr. Berkson consults internationally, focusing on medical nutrition for breast cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, renal problems, and complex health issues. Dr. B's Links: Email - [email protected] Webpage - www.drlindseyberkson.com Memberships - www.drlindseyberkson.com/membership Agile Thinking Substack - https://drlindseyberkson.substack.com/ Biotics Products - https://drlindseyberkson.com/bioticsproducts/ Hormones: Vilified to Vindicated (Course) - https://drlindseyberkson.com/v2v/ Oxytocin Medicine - https://drlindseyberkson.com/oxytocinmedicine/ **Get $100 off Dr. Berkson's Everything Breast Cancer and/or Everything Hormones Courses by using the code: PC100TARA https://drlindseyberkson.com/everythingbreastcancer/ https://drlindseyberkson.com/everything-breast-cancer-nonprofessional/ https://drlindseyberkson.com/everythinghormones/ Estradiol vs. Bi-Est Debate, watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-p82VW1weA&t=2508s Watch Tara's Instagram Live with Dr. Berkson here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DN6ieQRE0PI/   Fix Your Gut Masterclass Stop Blaming the Food! The Real Reason You've Still Got Bloating and Pooping Problems and How to Fix Your Gut for Good. In this free, live masterclass Tara will walk you through the real reason your gut symptoms keep coming back, no matter what you've tried, and what actually needs to happen to fix them properly, at the root, for good. [Save your spot HERE]  

Does estrogen really cause breast cancer? It's one of the biggest fears women have when considering HRT, and in this conversation, Dr. Lindsey Berkson takes Tara back to where much of that fear began. They unpack the history of the Women's Health Initiative, how the original messaging around hormones shaped medical practice, and what later analyses of the research have shown. Dr. Berkson explains why she believes estrogen has been misunderstood, including the difference between estrogen's effects on different receptors and why "estrogen-positive" breast cancer does not necessarily mean estrogen caused the cancer. They also discuss research involving women with ER-positive breast cancer who received estrogen and what those studies reported. Dr. Berkson then shares her own breast cancer story and why it ultimately led her to spend decades researching hormones. This is a fascinating conversation about how medical messaging evolves, why women need to understand the details behind the studies, and why Tara believes these are conversations women deserve to have. In Part 1:  The history of the Women's Health Initiative and why it was created What the early research was actually showing about estrogen and breast cancer The controversial press release that changed the conversation around HRT What 20 years of reanalysis of the Women's Health Initiative revealed Oral vs topical vs vaginal estrogen: why delivery method matters Tara's experience with vaginal progesterone and sleep/anxiety The controversy surrounding oral progesterone The debate around estriol What "estrogen-positive" breast cancer actually means The theory behind estrogen and progesterone fueling breast tumors   Dr. Lindsey Berkson Lindsey Berkson, MA, DC, CNS, DACBN was a Distinguished Hormone Scholar at the Center for Bioenvironmental Research (CBR: Tulane/Xavier Universities). She is a leading figure in integrative medicine, renowned for her expertise in hormones, nutrition, digestion, and environmental science. With a background as a clinician, professor, bestselling author, and radio show host, she brings a wealth of experience to her work. At the CBR, she collaborated with pioneers in estrogen and sex-steroid receptor research. Dr. Berkson is also a respected educator, teaching MDs and pharmacists in advanced certification courses. She has developed innovative nutraceuticals, holds patents in bioidentical hormone therapy, and has contributed to groundbreaking research on dialysis/pharmaceutical medications and nutrition. Dr. Berkson consults internationally, focusing on medical nutrition for breast cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, renal problems, and complex health issues. Dr. B's Links: Email - [email protected] Webpage - www.drlindseyberkson.com Memberships - www.drlindseyberkson.com/membership Agile Thinking Substack - https://drlindseyberkson.substack.com/ Biotics Products - https://drlindseyberkson.com/bioticsproducts/ Hormones: Vilified to Vindicated (Course) - https://drlindseyberkson.com/v2v/ Oxytocin Medicine - https://drlindseyberkson.com/oxytocinmedicine/ **Get $100 off Dr. Berkson's Everything Breast Cancer and/or Everything Hormones Courses by using the code: PC100TARA https://drlindseyberkson.com/everythingbreastcancer/ https://drlindseyberkson.com/everything-breast-cancer-nonprofessional/ https://drlindseyberkson.com/everythinghormones/ Estradiol vs. Bi-Est Debate, watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-p82VW1weA&t=2508s Watch Tara's Instagram Live with Dr. Berkson here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DN6ieQRE0PI/   Fix Your Gut Masterclass Stop Blaming the Food! The Real Reason You've Still Got Bloating and Pooping Problems and How to Fix Your Gut for Good. In this free, live masterclass Tara will walk you through the real reason your gut symptoms keep coming back, no matter what you've tried, and what actually needs to happen to fix them properly, at the root, for good. [Save your spot HERE]  

Think your gut is healthy because you don't have bloating, constipation or indigestion? Think again. In this episode, Tara explains why you can have significant gut dysbiosis without a single digestive symptom—and why that matters if you're taking HRT. Your gut plays a critical role in how your body metabolises and eliminates estrogen. Tara unpacks the connection between the microbiome, liver detoxification, the estrobolome, and beta-glucuronidase, and explains why simply taking supplements like DIM or calcium D-glucarate isn't addressing the root cause. Whether you're on HRT or supporting your hormones naturally, this episode will help you understand why a healthy gut is essential for healthy hormone metabolism—and why optimising your gut may be one of the most important steps you can take, even if your digestion feels perfectly normal. In this episode:  How hormones are metabolised through the liver and gut Why you can have significant gut dysfunction without digestive symptoms Why Tara no longer recommends DIM (and rarely uses milk thistle) The estrobolome explained: your gut's role in estrogen metabolism Why calcium D-glucarate isn't the answer The real cause of elevated beta-glucuronidase Why adjusting your HRT dose may not solve the real problem Mentioned in this episode: PIQUE TEA - These are some of Tara's favourite teas! They're crystal form, which makes them super unique and easy to transport in your purse, (they come in single use satchels!) and higher in polyphenols. They're made from high quality ingredients with triple toxin screening, (super important when it comes to your tea). Click HERE to visit the shop. You may also enjoy the following episodes:  EPS 84: The Invisible Benefits of HRT (HRT is important even if you have NO symptoms!). EPS 86: You can't HRT your way out of a crappy diet or poor lifestyle habits.  EPS 139: Not "everything" is solved with HRT. It's not a magic bullet. EPS 112: Gold Nuggets About HRT with Sarah Daccarett, MD   Gut Relief Package Promotion What's Included:  2 deep-dive private 1:1 consultations with me personally. Functional testing: I'll guide you on which tests are right for YOUR body so you're not wasting money on tests you don't need I interpret all your results and create fully personalised, custom protocols built around your body and your life. Video reviews of your test results so you understand exactly what we're seeing and why A results review call where we'll go through everything together A fully customised health plan including professional supplements - all tailored to you, your body, and your test results 3 months of unlimited private messaging support with me; this is HUGE. I am by your side, holding your hand, available at any time. This is the key piece of the plan that gets you results. Pivoting and adjusting as your body responds is critical, because healing isn't linear. Options to continue working together and retest after your 3 months - I won't leave you high and dry. Grab your Gut Relief Package HERE.

Leaky gut has become one of the most talked about topics in the wellness world, but how much of what you've heard is actually true? In this episode, Tara separates the science from the social media myths surrounding intestinal permeability (commonly called "leaky gut"). She explains why having some intestinal permeability is completely normal, who is actually at risk of developing excessive permeability, and why telling everyone they have a leaky gut can lead to unnecessary fear, supplements, and expense. You'll also learn what really damages the gut lining, why common tests like zonulin may not be giving you reliable answers, the gold-standard test used in research, and the evidence-based strategies that genuinely help support and repair the gut barrier. If you've ever been told you have leaky gut—or you've wondered whether you do—this episode will help you understand what the research actually says. In this episode: What "leaky gut" really is (and why everyone has some intestinal permeability) Why not everyone has leaky gut—even with autoimmune disease The biggest myths circulating online The lifestyle, medications and gut conditions that genuinely increase intestinal permeability Why zonulin testing isn't as reliable as many practitioners believe The gold-standard test for assessing intestinal permeability Evidence-based supplements that actually support the gut lining Why hormones, especially progesterone, play a bigger role than most people realise     Gut Relief Package Promotion What's Included:  2 deep-dive private 1:1 consultations with me personally. Functional testing: I'll guide you on which tests are right for YOUR body so you're not wasting money on tests you don't need I interpret all your results and create fully personalised, custom protocols built around your body and your life. Video reviews of your test results so you understand exactly what we're seeing and why A results review call where we'll go through everything together A fully customised health plan including professional supplements - all tailored to you, your body, and your test results 3 months of unlimited private messaging support with me; this is HUGE. I am by your side, holding your hand, available at any time. This is the key piece of the plan that gets you results. Pivoting and adjusting as your body responds is critical, because healing isn't linear. Options to continue working together and retest after your 3 months - I won't leave you high and dry. Grab A Gut Relief Package HERE.   

Walk into any health food store or spend five minutes on social media and you'll be told you "need" a long list of supplements for your gut. Bitters. Berberine. Greens powders. Probiotics. TUDCA. Ox bile. But are they actually helping your microbiome... or could they be making things worse? In this episode, Tara shares her honest, research-backed opinion on the gut supplements she believes are worth considering, which ones are overhyped, which should only ever be used with the right testing, and the supplements she believes most people should avoid altogether. Drawing on more than a decade of clinical experience and her training as a Certified Microbiome Analyst, Tara explains why the right supplement depends entirely on what's happening inside your gut, and why guessing can sometimes do more harm than good. If you've ever wondered which supplements are actually worth your money, this episode is for you. Covered in this episode:  The supplements I genuinely recommend and why Which ones are mostly hype Why strain matters when it comes to probiotics Why prebiotics are one of the most underused tools in gut health The supplements I only use with proper testing Why I no longer use berberine or oil of oregano in my clinical practice The biggest mistake I see women making when buying supplements online   Mentioned in this episode:  HERBATONIN - Save 10% when you use Tara's code: Tara10   July *LIVE* Gut Fix Hangout Stop Blaming the Food. The Real Reason You've Still Got Bloating and Pooping Problems, and How to Fix Your Gut for Good. Join us on July 16th at 8pm EST / 5pm PST which is 10am AEST on July 17th. Save your spot HERE.  

If you're struggling with constipation and bloating no matter how much water you drink or fiber you eat, methane overgrowth in your gut could be the real problem. The episode focuses on methane overgrowth in the gut, highlighting how methanogens produce methane, which can slow digestion and exacerbate symptoms. Tara explains the importance of proper testing, both for methane and thyroid issues, to identify the real cause of gut discomfort. The discussion explores why standard stool tests often miss methane overgrowth and shared practical steps for effective diagnosis and symptom relief. In this episode: What methane overgrowth actually is and why it causes constipation The difference between methane in the colon and methane-dominant SIBO Why so many women are never tested properly Why bloating patterns can give us clues about what's really going on Why fibre isn't the problem (even if it currently makes you feel worse) The connection I often see between sluggish thyroid function and methane overgrowth   July *LIVE* Gut Fix Hangout Stop Blaming the Food. The Real Reason You've Still Got Bloating and Pooping Problems, and How to Fix Your Gut for Good. Join us on July 16th at 8pm EST / 5pm PST which is 10am AEST on July 17th. Save your spot HERE. [

So many of us assume that fatigue, brain fog, and other midlife symptoms are caused solely by hormones or that HRT alone is the solution. But our latest episode of The Tara Thorne Wellness podcast dives into why your gut health may be playing a much bigger role than you think. In this episode: Don't Blame Hormones for Everything: Many symptoms often attributed to perimenopause or hormonal imbalance—like fatigue and brain fog—can actually be driven by gut health issues, especially dysbiosis and inflammation. Understand the Gut-Hormone Connection: A healthy gut is critical for metabolizing estrogen and maintaining proper hormone balance. Overlooking this can lead to persistent symptoms even if you're addressing hormones. Testing and Assessing Gut-Related Contributors to Symptoms:Standard approaches and generic supplements often miss core issues like high LPS (a major driver of inflammation and fatigue) and slow gut transit time. Targeted testing is essential for real results. -----------------------------------------------------   ** Don't miss Tara's upcoming GUT FIX HANGOUT - Stop Blaming the Food. The Real Reason You've Still Got Bloating and Pooping Problems, and How to Fix Your Gut for Good. Join us on July 16th at 8pm EST / 5pm PST which is 10am AEST on July 17th. Save your spot HERE.   ------------------------------------------------------ Got questions? Connect with Tara on Instagram, at @TaraThorneWellness

In this episode, Tara breaks down the most common root causes of SIBO, including impaired gut motility, previous antibiotic use, food poisoning, digestive issues, low stomach acid, medications, thyroid problems, structural issues, and chronic stress. She also explains why proper testing matters, why guessing your way through SIBO treatment can leave you stuck in a cycle of temporary improvement followed by relapse, and what questions your practitioner should be asking before creating a treatment plan. If you've been told you have SIBO, treated it, and found yourself right back where you started, this episode will help you understand what may have been missed. In this episode, I'm breaking down: The classic symptoms of SIBO and what they can look like beyond bloating Why motility is one of the biggest pieces of the puzzle How antibiotics, food poisoning, medications, and stress can contribute Why low stomach acid may actually be part of the problem The questions your practitioner should be asking before treating your SIBO Why clearing SIBO is only half the job if you want lasting results   June Gut Relief Package SALE And if you're struggling with persistent gut symptoms and want support figuring out what's actually happening, grab a spot to work with me this June, HERE. Spots are limited and once they're gone, they're gone.  Got questions? Connect with Tara on Instagram, at @TaraThorneWellness

After decades of chronic constipation, going as long as six weeks without a bowel movement, and living with severe bloating that left her looking "like she'd swallowed an elephant," Wendy had tried everything… or so she thought. Laxatives. Supplements. Restrictive diets. Wellness practitioners. Expensive protocols. Yet nothing truly worked because nobody had properly investigated what was actually happening in her gut. In this deeply personal conversation, Wendy joins Tara to share how comprehensive microbiome testing finally uncovered the root causes behind her lifelong gut struggles and how, within weeks of targeted support, everything changed. This episode explores the emotional and physical toll chronic constipation can have on women, why symptom suppression isn't the same as healing, and how proper testing can completely transform the way we approach gut health.   In this episode, you'll hear us chat about: How easy it is to get stuck in "try this, try that" cycles without ever finding real answers The power of proper gut testing and an individualized approach Why surface solutions (like supplements or meds "just in case") can miss the mark How healing your gut impacts your ENTIRE well-being: energy, skin, sleep, mental clarity What's truly possible when you find the root cause instead of just masking symptoms   I hope Wendy's story inspires you to believe that things can change, no matter how long you've been struggling.     Mother's Day Gut Relief Package Applications are now open now through May 27th at midnight PST! Here's what's inside my Mother's Day Gut Relief Package: 2 deep-dive private 1:1 consultations with me personally. Functional testing: I'll guide you on which tests are right for YOUR body so you're not wasting money on tests you don't need I interpret all your results and create fully personalised, custom protocols built around your body and your life. Video reviews of your test results so you understand exactly what we're seeing and why A results review call where we'll go through everything together A fully customised health plan including professional supplements - all tailored to you, your body, and your test results 3 months of unlimited private messaging support with me; this is HUGE. I am by your side, holding your hand, available at any time. This is the key piece of the plan that gets you results. Pivoting and adjusting as your body responds is critical, because healing isn't linear. Options to continue working together and retest after your 3 months - I won't leave you high and dry. 🎁 BONUS (and this one really matters for gut health): A FREE HTMA test + full protocol and interpretation, worth hundreds on its own. SUBMIT AN APPLICATION HERE Spots are limited.